This is it - the episode where Graceland comes into its own. For the first two episodes it felt like Graceland was trying to find its legs, its standing in the USA Network stable if you will. Here it pushes forward as a psychological and action thriller where everyone's motives are in question and the foundations are shaky at best. Grittier than most USA Network fare, we get better insight into the characters leading to a shake up at Graceland. This episode's intrigue continues throughout until the very satisfactory ending. For me, this is definitely the best episode so far.
Heat Run starts right where Guadalajara Dog left off with Briggs putting a cocked gun to Mike's head and asking, "Who've you been talking to?" He sees movement in the shadows and when the lights flip on, Briggs and Mike are face-to-face with Bello, the head honcho Briggs has been tracking for months. He accuses them of setting him up to be robbed but instinct kicks in and Briggs and Mike play off each other like long time pros. They may not trust each other but they have that buddy chemistry that sells the moment to both Bello and the audience. It helps that the previouslies explain the title as well since the heat run basically saves their lives. Needless to say there's much celebrating because now they are in with Bello, the break they needed.
Back at Graceland, the celebration continues until Lauren convinces Briggs to help her take down Kuzmanov, whose brother they arrested earlier. Kuzmanov wants to kill Donny so Lauren is dead set on taking him out first. Briggs agrees and cancels the party on grounds that they have a busy morning and need sleep. Meanwhile Charlie meets up with Whistler, a particularly unsteady CI who tells her he has a drug dealer on the line for her. Needless to say neither mission goes as planned and things quickly spiral out of control. Motives become questionable as a game of smoke and mirrors begins.
Most important definition - Heat Run: when someone makes a serious of random turns and speed changes in order to avoid a tail
Best scenes - the opening and the ending
Best reason to watch - the twists, Briggs and Charlie
Best lines -
"Does he look like a cardiologist to you?"
"Put the guns down Paul. Today is not a good day to die."
"We should call this cr** Amnesia. I forget it tastes like that."
"Well rested and not hung over. I'm so clear it hurts bro."
Check out Graceland on Thursdays at 10/9 C
on the USA Network.
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If you've been unsure about whether to continue with Graceland or not, I encourage you to watch this episode. It finally seems like Graceland knows its story, characters, and tone so for me its actually more about Graceland finding its own identity than it is even about the story. The story itself however is pretty quickly placed and sets up the Briggs and Mike partnership. For those you want their USA shows a little grittier, this may be the one for you.
ReplyDeleteawesome I had no doubt about this show but I'm glad the episodes keep getting better and better. Do we see a lot of Charlie? She's my favorite character so far.
ReplyDeleteGood to know it seems like I won't be having to waffle on the fence until episode 5 for this series. Thanks for the review, great job as always!
ReplyDeleteCharlie is my favorite character right now too. She gets her own story line in this episode so she gets a decent amount of the screen time. However, much of that time is away from Graceland with a guest character so she has less interaction with the other main characters. I did however love seeing more of her character and her interactions with Whistler let us see her softer side.
ReplyDeleteThis show won't be for everyone but I feel this episode gives us a better understanding of Briggs and Charlie as characters even though Briggs is of course still the biggest mystery.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. I like psychological and I like action. Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI like the show but I'm waiting for it to set itself apart. I can deal with the mystery of Briggs but everyone else (especially Johnny and Jakes) need to come into clear and sharp focus sooner rather than later. Charlie is my favorite right now so good to hear she's got a meaty part this week, hoping for Paige to be major player in all of this as well (and yes only because of the lovely Ms. Swan).
ReplyDeleteJohnny, Jakes, and Paige are still off on the sidelines in this one. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt's still very much procedural but what I presume will be the season-long case heats up and we get some much needed insight into Briggs. Plus one thing I wanted in the pilot happens so that made me look more favorably on this episode too.
ReplyDeleteThat's OK because I know episode 4 has a few of the neglected characters working together.
ReplyDeleteWow, advanced review...somebody is special! :-) Nah, I'm glad to hear that they start to find their groove. I was really hoping they would.
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